I think it is possible that Carly Simon has only revealed one member of a composite. From the relevant wiki page: "In 2004, Simon told Regis Philbin, "..I've given out two letters already, an "A" and an "E." But I'm going to add one to it. I'm going to add an "R,". The "R" doesn't match up. And, "Stern, recalling that Simon had told him who the song was written about, claimed that Simon said it was a "composite of three people".

It always seemed like a logical puzzle, anyway. "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you."

It IS about you, if you're the one who is so vain. So you guessed correctly, and it's kind of a compliment that she wrote a song about you, and that lots of people will be trying to discover your identity. It's an insult that ends up being somewhat gratifying, I would think.

"Now will she please explain the line about how she "used to dream there were clouds in my coffee, clouds in my coffee"? Why, and what does that mean? "

I think those clouds were the reason why "words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup, they slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe." Suffice it to say, back in the 60s a lot of people spent a lot of time staring into cups and hallucinating.

Geffen started out in the mail room. He would get to work at 5 am and steam open the letters so that he could rise in the company. It worked. He kept getting to work early to steam open the mail for years after leaving the mailroom.

I'd heard it definitely was him. Given his rep as a lady killer, it would make sense. What would be interesting is why he would pick her (she's rather plain) as opposed to her sister, Joanna, who is/was quite a knockout. Dad's money, one presumes.

Given some of the info about Geffen here, I think she may just be messing with everybody.

I'm a wee bit too young to be a true Boomer, and I was in middle school when all these people were on top of their game, so I never realized - damn, Yousef Islam was kinda hot back in the day. I don't really like Cat Stevens' music, but he was awfully pretty, wasn't he?

I think Carly is a more talented songwriter than Joni. I realize most people would disagree.

"Geffen started out in the mail room. He would get to work at 5 am and steam open the letters so that he could rise in the company. It worked. He kept getting to work early to steam open the mail for years after leaving the mailroom."

Ah yes, talent, that's what this business was built on.

Maybe not. Maybe, instead, it was built on reading other people's mail.

Some things can cause me to hate life more than any of you can imagine.

Update: Everyone Owes David Geffen an Apology"Rumors indicating Geffen was the subject of the song surfaced after Simon revealed that on a recently recorded version of the song, she recites (backward) the name of its inspiration. One of these names is David. However, ShowBiz411 also spoke with someone who worked on the production of the song who says that Simon also says two other names: one that’s unintelligible, and “Warren,” an obvious reference to 29th President of the United States, Warren G. Harding."

about the "clouds in my coffee", the line was, "I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee."

It is a reference back to the line that "all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner."

"Clouds in my coffee" is analogous to something fleeting and insubstantial, possibly vaguely unpleasant, as the "coffee" might be cloudy due to grounds suspended in the brew or other impurities. Probably more relevant in the days of percolators, before Mr. Coffee and paper filters.

I could care less who was so vain but the song has some good biting lyrics, the insults are very subtle.

As a long time die-hard fan of Carly Simon - I spent countless hours admiring her on the album cover "No Secrets" - I find her today to be so sad. Her last visit to the Letterman show was that of a woman with too much of a face lift and a voice that is completely gone, including her pitch. She appeqrs to be grasping at hanging on to whatever fame or standing she can grab.

Carly - it's time to let go. If the phrase "rest on her laurels" applies to anyone, it should be you. No one can take away the tremendous body of work you've contributed, culturally and musically - except you. Please don't destroy any of it by going where you don't belong.